A Kiev-88 -- everything you didn't know about it...

Cheveuxroux

Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2024
Messages
17
Location
Chicago
Format
DSLR

I wondered about DSL as they have few locations in Illinois unlike Fed-X
 

Sixbysixjan

Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2016
Messages
20
Location
Vancouver, Canada
Format
Medium Format
Super interesting, thank you Flavio! I wonder if you would care to pass some comment / tips on keeping the Bronica SQ-A / Ai / 645 system lenses and bodies in good working order? I retired about a year ago but was "blessed" with poor health, getting better and raring to get back into MF photography. As a retired person I want to keep my gear running as long as possible... On the day of my retirement party at work I got hit by a truck on my way home - not my fault(!!) - so I had the added cost of replacing my car (insurance companies TOTALLY overblow advertising regarding accident coverage, I found out). Some time ago I managed to break the light trap on a 6X6 film back by being over-enthusiastic when inserting the dark slide, I am now SUPER-careful (at least in that respect) but wondering what other dumb accidents might befall me in regards to gear.
 
Last edited:

Cheveuxroux

Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2024
Messages
17
Location
Chicago
Format
DSLR
Kino said:
By DSL I mean DHL... Doh!
Click to expand...

No worries.
I was thinking DHL but posted dsl as well.
I'm awaiting a broken body ( jammed shutter) delivery by Fed-X and am of two minds about viewing Arax video on body disassembly just so I can remove the inner body for inspection just to become familiar with the mechanism, bearing in mind that I don't have parts and would also need a working body for comparison.
I'll probably end up shipping to Arax without touching it simply due to lack of time.
 

Kino

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 20, 2006
Messages
7,602
Location
Orange, Virginia
Format
Multi Format
The major problem with this camera is that absolutely touchy gear stack. Just be aware, if you take it apart and get it out of order, ARAX might not touch it.

Good luck.
 

Cheveuxroux

Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2024
Messages
17
Location
Chicago
Format
DSLR
Kino said:
The major problem with this camera is that absolutely touchy gear stack. Just be aware, if you take it apart and get it out of order, ARAX might not touch it.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

I am well aware of that.
I would not blame Arax.
If I take it apart, it would remain in my possession for continued study.
As I have three working bodies, my primary reason for sending the body to Arax would be repair and possible upgrades.
The side benefit would be testing the shipping reliability without risking a precious working body before shipping my working bodies for CLA.
 
Last edited:

AERO

Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2024
Messages
113
Location
WARWICKSHIRE..UK
Format
4x5 Format
I have the Zenith 80..had it since 1968..works well no problems. Have 2 Hassel backs very slightly modified and they work ok with it and never had any film probs such as overlapping etc.... (Having said that I await Murphys Law).
Must have been a good day for the workers******** when it was made
Arax seem to have a good rep..quite a number of UK owners have commented on their excellent service. As regards postal service..not seen any European complaints of delays etc...b.ut then a lot of stuff is shipped DHL who seem more on the ball.
They pick it up..ship it..all the way. Non of this being picked up by separate people or handed over to Royal Mail (God forbid)

{Moderator deletion of politics}
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Cheveuxroux

Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2024
Messages
17
Location
Chicago
Format
DSLR
Good to hear about ARAX reliability!
As I live in the US, I am more concerned about what happens to my camera after it arrives in the US.
I was at a local camera show this morning and asked two Ukrainian speaking dealers if they had ever shipped to Ukraine after the war started but received negative replies.
I bought a 50mm Flektagon today from one of the dealers and wish to continue using my camera bodies.
I still intend to try shipping the failed body after the New Year hangovers end.
 
Last edited:

AERO

Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2024
Messages
113
Location
WARWICKSHIRE..UK
Format
4x5 Format
Last edited by a moderator:

Marcelo Paniagua

Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2016
Messages
1,235
Location
Calexico, CA
Format
Multi Format

Not sure if just me but http://www.sdash.plus.com/hassalyut.htm doesn't seems to work.

Regards.
 

xya

Member
Joined
Jun 13, 2010
Messages
1,032
Location
Calais, Köln
Format
Multi Format
Cheveuxroux said:
Thank you for the interesting hyperlink.
I will read through the articles and keep for reference when I decide to send in cameras.
Click to expand...
I have bought from him. Nice prices and very good material. From my experience I can say that he is very reliable...
 

Marcelo Paniagua

Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2016
Messages
1,235
Location
Calexico, CA
Format
Multi Format
Oh yeah got tha pdf. It provide some insign for repair, but I think it is only useful if you have previous experience with camera repair.

Thanks
 

Cheveuxroux

Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2024
Messages
17
Location
Chicago
Format
DSLR
AERO said:
Correct. Having read it I would not even attempt it!! - and if I did, it would only end up a very hefty paperweight
Click to expand...
For the foreseeable future I am better off shipping my recently acquired Kiev 88 broken body and existing working bodies next year to ARAX for refurbishment or upgrades while the service is still available so I may continue to use the cameras.

If I am fortunate enough to obtain bodies for a cheap enough price, I would like to disassemble a body just to analyze the parts and their interaction.

Disassembly would merely be to satisfy my curiosity and would not expect to return a body to functional condition.

Unfortunately, I also have a lot of other items awaiting my attention so finding time for the camera bodies is merely an aspiration rather than a realistic expectation.
 

SMD

Member
Joined
Aug 30, 2024
Messages
88
Location
Transsylvania
Format
Large Format
AERO said:
I have the Zenith 80..had it since 1968..works well no problems. Have 2 Hassel backs very slightly modified and they work ok with it and never had any film probs such as overlapping etc.
Click to expand...

Did you do the modification yourself or could explain what was done? I try to adapt the 70 mm back from Hasselblad to the Kiev 88.
 

SMD

Member
Joined
Aug 30, 2024
Messages
88
Location
Transsylvania
Format
Large Format
What is a Z80 magazine? (Z=Zenith?) Looking it up brings nothing as the most results are about different magazines about the Sinclair Z80, oh those times ... well, not the best here at us, but not the fault of that fine computer.
 

AERO

Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2024
Messages
113
Location
WARWICKSHIRE..UK
Format
4x5 Format
SMD said:
What is a Z80 magazine? (Z=Zenith?) Looking it up brings nothing as the most results are about different magazines about the Sinclair Z80, oh those times ... well, not the best here at us, but not the fault of that fine computer.
Click to expand...

If you are that interested in the Zenith 80 then you should realise the term I used (Z80) refers to the camera magazine.....
I'm done on the subject.....
 
  • SMD
  • Deleted
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…